The Eaton Fire broke out on Jan. 2025 ,7 and was contained on Jan. 31. In those 24 days, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the flames killed 17 civilians, injured nine firefighters, destroyed 9,414 structures and damaged 1,074 others.The Eaton Fire is history, but its damage and destruction will linger for years. The long-term fallout from this disaster has only begun. The road back will be difficult. But recovery and rebuilding bring opportunities for renewal. We can leave old patterns and habits behind. We can reject exclusion and exploitation. We can make Altadena and Pasadena stronger, fairer, safer and better for everyone who lives and works here.
Our statement of unity.
We who live, work and serve in Altadena and Pasadena are committed to an Eaton Fire reconstruction that is just and inclusive for everyone.
We are united by these principles.

1. True solidarity. The fire did not discriminate in who it harmed. The emergency community relief effort did not discriminate in who it helped. The recovery should not discriminate in who it supports. We endured the fire together, and we will stay together during the recovery.
2. Comprehensive cleanup. The recovery must ensure that we protect the health and safety of our residents and respect our common home, our planet. Authorities must commit to immediate and thorough testing of soil and the indoor environment of buildings and comprehensive studies of contaminants in the area. They must prioritize the rapid and complete cleaning of contaminated areas where residents live, to prevent future illness and death from toxic exposure.
3. Full and fair inclusion. The recovery must be broad enough to meet the needs of all who have been harmed. We will make sure no person or family is unfairly left behind or made to stand alone. Pasadena and Altadena must remain places that are livable, hospitable, affordable and safe for diverse populations of people up and down the economic ladder. We will not let the fire transform our beloved communities into closed-off enclaves. It’s our disaster – and it must be our rebuilding.
4. Real choices. All residents – homeowners and renters alike – should have what they need to rebuild and a real choice whether to remain in their communities. Should they choose to leave, they should receive fair compensation, and their property should be purchased by entities serving the common good.
5. Local opportunity. Every local person who wants to rebuild and restore a home or business should have the fair opportunity to do so. Local ownership and affordability for housing and small businesses must be preserved. The residential and commercial life of our communities must have a chance to regrow – not be bulldozed or uprooted. Speculators must not be allowed to prey on people and their land.
6. Tenants’ rights. Landlords must comply with all relevant ordinances to ensure their tenants’ rights are respected. Renters must be protected from unfair eviction and rent hikes during a moment of accelerating rent gouging and exploitation.
7. Economic justice. We must dismantle the institutional corruption that makes markets like insurance and housing so exploitive of the poor and working class. Cleanup and rebuilding efforts must provide equitable, local job opportunities and labor protections while safeguarding the health of workers. Developers and construction contractors must not be allowed to exploit workers through unfair pay, wage theft, unsafe conditions or other abusive acts.
8. Support lifelines. Vulnerable homeowners should have “homeowner advocates” to help make sure they are treated and compensated fairly by insurance companies. Those who lost their livelihoods and loved ones in the fires and cannot support themselves should receive guaranteed income payments for as long as they need. Block grants or other financial cushions should be available to help damaged or destroyed nonprofit organizations, including congregations and places of worship.
9. Green renewal. Rebuilding must commit to adopting clean and renewable energy sources and fire-resistant construction materials.
10. Shared humanity. We are all in this together. Let us always remember that a moral compass must guide those who provide help – government and nonprofit agencies, developers and philanthropic organizations. Let us always be vigilant – alert to the dangers of exploitation and abuse, so that the recovery does not sacrifice people for profits. As we rebuild, let us inspire one another with honesty, decency and kindness. And remember that only the people save the people. Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo.